Specialty Solutions Underwriting Associate

NOTE: This job was posted to the West Des Moines Chamber Job Board by one of our member businesses and is not a job available at the West Des Moines Chamber.

About the job
Say Yes to the Best Career Opportunities

Merchants Bonding Company™ is hiring professionals who value clarity, collaboration, and opportunities to make an impact. Our team is growing, and we’re looking for people who thrive in a fast-moving environment built on common sense underwriting and first-class experiences. If you're ready for the next step in your career with a team that says yes to the best, this is your opportunity.

Job Purpose

The Specialty Solutions Underwriting Associate is responsible for supporting a team(s) of 1-5 underwriters by providing customer service to the agents in the team’s assigned region(s). They are responsible for managing and maintaining account files, process billings, and administering collateral, subdivision bonds, funds control, and SBA bonds.

Job Responsibilities

Agent and Client Service - 40%

Resolves billing and rate issues and responds to bid requests from agents by email, phone, and mail. Using an imaging workflow system, determines those items that need to be handled by an underwriter and forwards for their review and action.
Creates Principal records for new accounts. Maintains information regarding approved bid requests, bond status letters, and premium adjustments.
Prepares legal documents, including General Indemnity Agreement; administers documents through DocuSign.
Processes FCRA letters.
Processes bid bond information authorized by an ALOC or an underwriter within their authority limit. 
Notifies agents of underwriting requests and assures that information is received on a timely basis. 
Processes bond renewals and prepares bid bonds, co-surety bonds, and final bonds as requested. Follows up on final bonds that have been approved but not billed. 
Processes cancellations and termination changes on existing bonds; reinstates cancelled items.

Billing Processing - 30%

Sets up billing for final bonds, including approval sheet. Compiles all information associated with a bond, validates the bond has been approved either by line of credit or an underwriter, and processes billings daily.
Follows up on final bonds that have been approved but not billed. 

Documentation and Underwriting Support - 20%

Reviews completed GIA’s and documents appropriate information and approvals to file. 
Maintains logs and lists for abeyance, year-end, and progress reports. 
Requests legal descriptions, collateral information, recording fees, and credit reports for underwriters. Requests title searches from title companies. Requests checks from Accounting for title searches and recording fees. 
Maintains documentation for all procedures.
Maintains and updates account and credit files, including current financial information and fiscal year-end updates. 

Training - 10%

Attends and participates in Account Specialist/Associate meetings as scheduled. 
May be asked to train new Account Specialist/Associate for any team of underwriters. 

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

Required

High school diploma or GED. 
Minimum of 1 year experience in an office environment, preferably in Surety or Insurance. Knowledge of office environment and protocols. 

Preferred

Experience in surety or insurance operations. 
General understanding of SBA bond programs and related documentation requirements.
General understanding of the SBA and its function. 

Benefits At Merchants

At Merchants, we value balancing the needs of our associates and their families. We offer a wide range of benefits designed to help achieve a healthy work-life balance and support personal and professional growth. In addition to competitive pay, bonus programs, and generous paid-time off, here are a few stand-out benefits:

Flexible hybrid and remote opportunities with 37.5 hour work week
Free health insurance option
Paid volunteer time off with matching gift program
Infants in the Workplace Program with family resources
Discover more at: https://www.merchantsbonding.com/careers#Benefits

About Merchants

For nearly a century, Merchants Bonding Company has focused almost exclusively on surety, delivering common sense underwriting and first-class experiences to agents, accounts, and associates across the country. Merchants stands apart from multi-line carriers by offering deep surety expertise, a flexible approach, and strong financials that instill confidence and foster lasting partnerships.

Our people-first culture is built on collaboration, inclusion, and shared success. We’re committed to helping associates grow through real opportunities for advancement, while supporting a sense of belonging.

If you're looking to join a company that values your unique perspective, encourages new ideas, and invests in your development, apply today!